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At the November 3 meeting of the American Baptist Churches of Ohio Board of Region Ministries, the Board voted to call Rev. Mark Click and Rev. Jane Gibbons as Co-Executive Ministers for the region beginning January 1, 2019. Rev. Click will serve as Executive Minister for Administration and Denominational Relations, and Rev. Gibbons will serve as Executive Minister for Program and Ministry Development.

Both Rev. Click and Rev. Gibbons have served ABC of Ohio as Region Ministers, Click since 2008 and Gibbons since 2000. As American Baptist Clergy, both bring extensive years of ministry experience in ABC congregations and have gifts tailored toward the respective roles to which they have been called.

Rev. Mark Click was ordained as an American Baptist Minister in 2000. He served as the pastor of two ABC of Ohio churches and brings a passion for growing the local church. He received his MDiv from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio in 1994. He brings many administrative gifts, along with vision casting, to his new position as Executive Minister of Administration and Denominational Relations. In his new role, Click will attend the Regional Executive Ministers Council, National Leadership Council, Multi-Region Corporation, and other traditional ABC Executive Minister related entities.

Rev. Jane Gibbons was ordained as an American Baptist Minister in 1994. She brings a specialty of gifts in Christian Education and coaching, and has a deep passion for pastors and the ministry of the local church. She served two ABC churches in Pittsburgh, Pa., and Charleston, W.Va. as Associate Pastor of Christian Education and other ministries. Her many gifts in program development and grant writing make her a perfect fit for her new ministry in ABC of Ohio. Jane holds a MDiv from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky.

Rev. Click and Rev. Gibbons are breaking new ground as they begin their ministries as Co-Executive Ministers for ABC of Ohio, and they have worked well as a team in partnership in Region ministry for 10 years. Rev. Dr. Larry Swain, current Interim Executive Minister for the region, will transition to serving as Executive Staff Coach for 6 months in 2019.

Face to Face is a day and a half event which brings clergy, church search committees and seminary seniors and/or recent graduates in the ordination process together in one location for a series of 45 minute “first time interviews.” Church search committees are assigned an interviewing space and pastors move from interview to interview. Deadlines for participation are approaching. Early savings deadline February 1. Final Clergy deadline February 20, 2019. Church Search Committee deadline February 27, 2019. Make your reservation now by using the link below.

A limited number of interview slots are available which may be scheduled during the event. Interviews are scheduled based on a preference request and matching process prior to the event.

Participants are scheduled with churches or clergy who have requested to meet with them and also scheduled with other matches that have been determined by the matching team based on interests, experience, gender and other background information. Get more information including registration forms byCLICKING HERE!

AutumnQuest is a workshop designed by Midwest Ministry Development and sponsored by MMBB to help you anticipate, plan and shape your retirement. AutumnQuest is being hosted in Cleveland by The Cleveland Baptist Association January 31 and February 1, 2019. ABC Ministerial Leaders and Spouses are invited to the CBA Mission Center in the Fairhill Partners Building (12200 Fairhill Blvd Cleveland OH 44120).

Retirement is a significant transition, filled with hopes, uncertainties and some anxieties as well. For those in ministry there are added dimensions, since ministry is more than a job, it is a way of life, an identity, and a calling.

There will be ample parking available, as well as several hotels and restaurants located nearby the church. Lunch will be provided each day.

AutumnQuest will help you (and your spouse, if you are married):

•Identify your degree of readiness for retirement

• Form your unique vision of retirement

• Explore new ways to balance work, leisure and learning

• Consider geographical options and life-style preferences

• Evaluate your financial resources and needs

• Anticipate the dynamic nature and stages of retirement living

At AutumnQuest, you will process these areas with a counselor from Midwest Ministry Development, a representative from MMBB, and your peers in the group. AutumnQuest is a time to open yourself to new ideas and possibilities!

AutumnQuest will begin at 10 a.m. on Thursday, January 31st and conclude at 4 p.m. on Friday, February 1st. The total registration fee is $100. There is no extra fee for a non-ordained spouse; if both spouses are ordained, the registration fee is $100 per person. (Note: If the workshop is canceled for any reason, you will be informed at the earliest possible time and your registration fee will be refunded.)

When your registration form is received by Midwest Ministry, you will be sent more information regarding the workshop location and a questionnaire which will help you begin to think about and prepare for the workshop. Spouses are strongly encouraged to fully participate and share in this event. Each workshop is limited in size, so please send in your registration form(s) by January 3, 2019.

For more information call Midwest Ministry Development at 708.343.6268 or contact via email at mmds69go(at)gmail.com.

Join us for our ABC Ohio Leadership Conference March 15-16, 2019. Our Conference Leader is Dr. David Sanders of Judson University with the theme "Reaching the Next Generation."

Dr. Sanders will lead us through teaching and discussion on how to reach the generation called the "Screeners."

Dr. Sanders has been involved with church and parachurch youth ministry for more than thirty years, including his work with Young Life. He is a Professor of Christian Ministries at Judson University focusing on youth ministry and adolescent studies classes as well as spiritual formation and intercultural missions.

Since 2013, Dr. Sanders has also directed a partnership project between the American Bible Society and MCYM with a web-based engagement tool called RezLife.com. He is an ordained pastor in the Evangelical Church Alliance.

Dr. Sanders and his wife Debbie have two daughters, Becca and Raine. He enjoys traveling, remodeling his 100 year old home, and most recently raising chickens, honey bees and gardening.

Our Executive Minister Rev. Dr. Larry Swain leads us in our closing All Convention Wednesday Luncheon. Dr. Swain's message was his "final address" as Executive Minister as he passes the baton to our new Executive Ministers: Rev. Mark Click, Executive Minister of Administration and Denominational Relationship and Rev. Jane Gibbons, Executive Minister of Ministry Programming and ARMs Expansion. This was all a part of “Discovering God’s Plan”, our theme for this year’s Annual Gathering based on Jeremiah 29:11-13.

The American Baptist Churches USA Biennial Mission Summit will be held at Virginia Beach, Virginia, June 21-23, 2019. Join us for the "Summit by the Sea"! Sign up now to receive updates as they are released:

Mission Summit 2019 will have multiple highlights, including: the Mission Summit Conversations, dynamic speakers, luncheon events held by American Baptist International Ministries, American Baptist Home Mission Societies, and the Ministers and Missionaries Benefit Board, and more!

The Biennial Summit will feature an all new ABCUSA Biennial Academy. Academy Tracks offering continuing education and spiritual growth opportunities for both clergy and lay leaders will include: Social Media, Technology and Ministry, 21st Century Options for Church Planting and Renewal, Transition Ministries Training, Bible Studies and more.

Bring the whole family! Virginia Beach is a top family-friendly destination. VBS-style classes will be offered for elementary school ages along with an all new youth track for middle and high school students. Day care will also be available.

Additional events occur before and after the official Mission Summit dates. In recent years, this has included: events for Chaplains and Pastoral Counselors, American Baptist Women's Day, mission opportunities, events for Ministers, ABCUSA caucus meetings, an ABCUSA Theologians Conference, continuing education events, and even an opportunity to visit local attractions!

Additional events occur before and after the official Mission Summit dates - check the schedule to make sure you don't miss out.